THE 2023 Victorian Football League (VFL) season is taking shape, with key dates confirmed for next year’s schedule. The campaign is set to get underway on the weekend of March 25-26, aligning with Round 2 of the AFL Premiership season.

All 21 teams which featured in 2022 will return, playing out a 22-round regular season consisting of 18 games each and four byes. There will again be a mix of VFL standalone, AFL standalone, and AFL aligned clubs, representing the states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.

Though there remains some regularity, the league will now host a Wildcard Round. The incoming format sees two matches played between the final home-and-away round and the first week of finals, pitting seventh against 10th, and eighth against ninth. Both victors will take up the seventh and eighth spots in finals.

Wildcard Round commences on August 26, with the opening week of finals to follow during the AFL’s pre-finals bye. This year, the grand final has been marked down for Sunday September 24, the weekend before the elite level’s decider.

AFL Head of State League Competitions Jennie Loughnan says the introduction of Wildcard Round offers an “exciting new element” to the state league system.

“With 21 teams competing in the Smithy’s VFL, the addition of the Wildcard Round provides more teams the opportunity to contend for finals,” Loughnan said.

“We expect the Wildcard Round to create more anticipation and excitement for competing clubs and football fans throughout the home and away season, with more sides remaining in finals contention later into the regular season.

“We are extremely proud of the rich tradition and history of the VFL and its clubs, and are also open to exploring exciting new opportunities, such as the Wildcard Round, for clubs, players and fans involved within the competition.”

The full fixture is set to be finalised and released soon, with key dates for the upcoming VFLW calendar to also be announced.

Casey Demons took out the 2022 VFL premiership, after overcoming Southport Sharks in a rain impacted decider at Ikon Park. This year, three players were selected in the AFL National and Rookie drafts from VFL clubs, including two from standalone state league sides.

2022 VFL ROSTER:

VFL standalone clubs – Coburg, Frankston, Northern Bullants, Port Melbourne, Southport Sharks, Werribee and Williamstown

AFL aligned clubs – Box Hill Hawks, Casey Demons and Sandringham

AFL standalone clubs – Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Footscray Bulldogs, Geelong Cats, Gold Coast SUNS, GWS GIANTS, North Melbourne, Richmond and Sydney Swans